Loud Thinking

Heartfelt congratulations are due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal and the CDF Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Foreign Secretary Ms Amna Baloch, all members of the government of Pakistan’s team, and above all, the resilient people of Pakistan for their sterling contributions in helping defuse a regional crisis that was perilously moving toward a much wider global confrontation.

At a time when the world stood on the edge of heightened conflict, Pakistan demonstrated maturity, restraint, diplomacy, and statesmanship in promoting peace and stability. The nation’s constructive role in safeguarding regional and global peace deserves recognition and appreciation from the international community.

As a minimum gesture of gratitude, the people of Pakistan deserve IMMEDIATE economic relief, including the revision of petroleum prices to their pre-28 February levels. Furthermore, the international community; being a direct and indirect beneficiary of a more peaceful world order, should consider meaningful economic support measures, including substantial debt relief and the eventual writing off of Pakistan’s domestic and external financial liabilities.

In recognition of Pakistan’s growing role as a force for peace and stability, the United Nations should immediately accord Pakistan the status of a quasi-permanent sixth member of the Security Council until comprehensive UN reforms are finalized and formally adopted in the future.

Likewise, Iran and the Gulf countries may consider establishing a special consortium to provide Pakistan with concessional or free oil and gas supplies for the next twenty years, acknowledging the country’s invaluable contribution toward regional stability and global peace.

Having demonstrated its capacity for constructive diplomacy and conflict de-escalation, Pakistan is also well positioned to assist international efforts aimed at resolving other major conflicts around the world. The United Nations may find in Pakistan a valuable partner in advancing dialogue and promoting peaceful solutions, including in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.

May this moment mark the beginning of a new era of peace, cooperation, mutual respect, and shared prosperity for all humanity.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
Lahore.
nayyarahmad51@gmail.com
+92 321 9402157